Rupture supporting device



Dec. 8, 1936. J. G. HOMAN RUPTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed May 5. 1934y Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to mechanical appliances of the type used inthe treatment of ruptures or hernia, and frequently referred to aS trusses, and more particularly to an improved supporting device for application to the rupture or hernia.

Heretofore rupture supporting devices have commonly comprised a pad or support with various arrangements of belts or springs or adhesives for holding the pad in position. Most, if not all, of these methods exerted a pressure upon the pad over the rupture. Pressure inhibits blood circulation beneath the point of pressure, as can be easily demonstrated by pressing the thumb against the bare flesh of the forearm and noting the pale spo-t that remains for an instant after the pressure of the thumb is removed. The spot is blanched because pressure restricts full circulation, the flow of blood through the capillaries being necessary to give color to the flesh. Moreo-ver, it has been difficult to retain such devices in the proper position. Unless the pad can be maintained in position directly over the rupture, it is not effective for the purpose for which it is provided. Slipping of the support or pad has always been a serious difficulty and considerable harness has herefore been necesary to prevent slipping.

According to the present invention, there is provided a form of support wherein outside pressure is not relied upon entirely to retain the rupture supporting element in place and wherein a partial vacuum is maintained in the area of the support to overcome the inhibitory effect of whatever small amount of pressure there might be. The present invention provides a support in which a partial vacuum not only is provided for keeping the tissues activated with a copious blood circulation, but also is provided to hold the support in place.

To this end, the invention proposes a support wherein there is a supporting member adapted to bear against the bulge of the rupture, and a vacuum cup enclosing the supporting member for maintaining a sub-atmospheric pressure about the supporting member and which aids in preventing the device from slipping out of position.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates certain preferred embodiments of my invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a support embodying my invention, a portion of the harness also being shown;

Figure 2 is a vertical section in the plane of line II-II of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section through a slightly modified form of the invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, 2 designates a pressure element or pad. This element has a surface 3 on the head portion, the diameter of which is slightly less than the inside diameter of the cup at the mouth thereof and is adapted to bear directly against the rupture. In the particular embodiment shown, this vsurface has a central convex portion, but the shape of this surface may be variously changed and modified to meet the needs of any particu.- lar case. The member 2 is preferably formed of a very soft sponge rubber. The member 2 is enclosed by and supported in an enclosing cup 4 and is provided with a neck of reduced diameter extending from the head to the base of the cup. The cup 4 is preferably formed of a relatively heavy iiexible rubber so that it may be distorted and flexed as may be required. The member 2 may be cemented into the base of the cup or may be otherwise secured therein. Secured to the base preferably in such manner as to form an airtight seal, is the stud member of a snap fastener. I have shown this particular fastener as comprising a stem or shank 5 having a ange 6 inside the cup and another flange l outside the cup, the body of the cup being pressed between these flanges in order to form an airtight seal. If necessary, cement may also be used to keep air from flowing around the shank of the fastener. At the outside of the fastener is a head portion 8. This head is adapted to be entered into the socket member 9 forming the other element of the snap fastener. The element 9 is secured to the harness or belt l0. The particular form of snap fastener is well known to those skilled in the art and forms no part of the present invention. The snap fastener, however, does provide a convenient means for detachably securing the pad or support to the harness.

In the particular construction illustrated, the 5 surface 3 of the member 2 projects slightly below the lip or rim 4a of the cup, but this can be varied and changed to meet the requirements of any particular pad.

When the device is applied, it is positioned overthe part of the body requiring support, and the cup is pressed down to expel some of the air therefrom. As the cup, through its own resilience, comes back into position, a partial vacuum or subeatmospheric pressure is produced inside the cup. Due to the partial vacuum thus created, the suction cup or pad will adhere to the skin and the device thus held against slipping. At the same time, the surface 3 of the member 2 will y exert the necessary counter-pressure against the particular point requiring support. This pressure is relatively light but effective. The sub-atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum existing in the cup, and, of course, through the air cells of the sponge rubber, stimulates the circulation of blood in the surface of that portion of the anatomy covered by the cup. A very desirable condition of active hyperemia is thus created, as distinguished from the anemic condition caused by the pressure of the common hernia support or truss.

The rubber cup yields to the various motions and contortions of the body. At the same time, the vacuum will hold and the device cannot slip or move from the position where it is intended to remain. The use of the snap fastener for co-nnecting the device tothe harness enhances the flexibility. Thel device can be cheaply manufactured, it is lighter than most pads used for this purpose, it can be readily Washed and cleaned with soap and water, and its use requires considerably less complicated and more comfortable harness.

Under some conditions, it may be desirable f to provide a vent whereby the vacuum can be rein all respects similar to that shown in Figures l and 2 and have used corresponding reference numerals to designate the corresponding parts. p

However, I have shown the cup 4 as being provided with a vent. In the particular arrangement shown, the vent comprises a hollow eyelet H having a cap I2 threaded to the exterior thereof. When the cap l2 is screwed down, the vent is closed against leakage, but by loosening the cap slightly, a slow leak can be provided. By loosening the cap to a greater extent, the suction Within the cup can be quickly relieved. It will be obvious that other types of Vents may be provided; It will also be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts and in the materials used, Within the contemplation of my invention and under the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A support of the class described, comprising a. substantially hemispherical vacuum cup having side walls of resilient rubber, and a sponge rubber pad within the cup, said pad having a head located in the mouth of the cup and of slightly less diameter than the mouth of the cup and a neck extending from the head to the base of cup to which the end of the neck is secured, the diameter of the neck being substantially smaller than the diameter of the cup to provide a large air space between the neck and the cup.

JOHN G. HOMAN. 

